Evaluation of tissue engineering products for the management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers: an interim analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this prospective, multicentre clinical study is to assess the application of MatriStem MicroMatrix (MSMM) and MatriStem Wound Matrix (MSWM) (porcine urinary bladder derived extracellular matrix) compared with Dermagraft (DG) (human fibroblast-derived dermal substitute) for the management of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

METHOD

A randomised, multicentre study was conducted at thirteen centers throughout the US. It was designed to evaluate the incidence of ulcer closure, rate of ulcer healing, wound characteristics, patient quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and recurrence. Those subjects whose DFUs decreased in size by ≤30% or increased by ≤50% during the standard of care (SOC) phase were randomised into the treatment phase of the study. The study evaluated complete wound closure by eight weeks with weekly device application. A two-week post treatment SOC phase followed the treatment phase for any wounds that did not heal by the end of eight weeks, and wound closure was also evaluated at the end of that period. Ulcer recurrence at 6 months post-treatment was evaluated in the subjects that showed wound healing by the end of the post-treatment SOC phase. Standard adjunctive therapy, including debridement, saline irrigation and foot off-loading, was provided to both arms during the four-week screening period, after which eligible subjects were randomised in a 1:1 ratio, to either the MatriStem (MS) or DG treatment arm. This study was developed to evaluate the hypothesis that the wound outcomes observed after wound management with MS were non-inferior to those of DG after eight weeks. The authors present the planned interim results of this study after one half of the projected enrolment was completed.

RESULTS

There were 95 subjects consented and entered into the SOC four-week screening phase of the trial and 56 were randomised into the treatment phase. At the planned interim analysis, there was a significantly lower cost per subject and significant improvement in patient quality of life for the subjects treated with MS compared with those managed with DG. However, there was not a statistically significant difference found during the analysis of the interim data between the two study groups for rate of wound healing or number of subjects with complete wound closure.

CONCLUSION

The data from this interim analysis show that MSMM and MSWM provide results for healing DFUs that are similar to the results obtained for DG at a significant quality of life and economic advantage.

Evaluation of tissue engineering products for the management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers: an interim analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this prospective, multicentre clinical study is to assess the application of MatriStem MicroMatrix (MSMM) and MatriStem Wound Matrix (MSWM) (porcine urinary bladder derived extracellular matrix) compared with Dermagraft (DG) (human fibroblast-derived dermal substitute) for the management of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

METHOD

A randomised, multicentre study was conducted at thirteen centers throughout the US. It was designed to evaluate the incidence of ulcer closure, rate of ulcer healing, wound characteristics, patient quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and recurrence. Those subjects whose DFUs decreased in size by ≤30% or increased by ≤50% during the standard of care (SOC) phase were randomised into the treatment phase of the study. The study evaluated complete wound closure by eight weeks with weekly device application. A two-week post treatment SOC phase followed the treatment phase for any wounds that did not heal by the end of eight weeks, and wound closure was also evaluated at the end of that period. Ulcer recurrence at 6 months post-treatment was evaluated in the subjects that showed wound healing by the end of the post-treatment SOC phase. Standard adjunctive therapy, including debridement, saline irrigation and foot off-loading, was provided to both arms during the four-week screening period, after which eligible subjects were randomised in a 1:1 ratio, to either the MatriStem (MS) or DG treatment arm. This study was developed to evaluate the hypothesis that the wound outcomes observed after wound management with MS were non-inferior to those of DG after eight weeks. The authors present the planned interim results of this study after one half of the projected enrolment was completed.

RESULTS

There were 95 subjects consented and entered into the SOC four-week screening phase of the trial and 56 were randomised into the treatment phase. At the planned interim analysis, there was a significantly lower cost per subject and significant improvement in patient quality of life for the subjects treated with MS compared with those managed with DG. However, there was not a statistically significant difference found during the analysis of the interim data between the two study groups for rate of wound healing or number of subjects with complete wound closure.

CONCLUSION

The data from this interim analysis show that MSMM and MSWM provide results for healing DFUs that are similar to the results obtained for DG at a significant quality of life and economic advantage.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. T.W. Gilbert is employed as the Chief Science Officer and is a stockholder in ACell, Inc., which commercializes MatriStem Wound Matrix and MicroMatrix. None of the other authors have a conflict of interest to declare.

Effects of 6 months of resveratrol versus placebo on pentraxin 3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

AIMS

The anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol resveratrol in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are controversial. Its role on pentraxin 3 (PTX3) concentrations, a human acute phase protein, has never been evaluated. Our aim was to determine whether a two-dosage resveratrol supplementation (500 and 40 mg/day) has an impact on PTX3 values in T2DM patients from a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Variations in total antioxidant status (TAS) were evaluated too.

METHODS

A total of 192 T2DM patients were randomized to receive resveratrol 500 mg/day (Resv 500 arm), resveratrol 40 mg/day (Resv 40 arm) or placebo for 6 months. At baseline and at the trial end, PTX3 and TAS values were determined.

RESULTS

A dose-dependent increase in PTX3 concentrations of 4.7% (Resv 40 arm) and 26.3% (Resv 500 arm), and 8.0% reduction after placebo were found. Adjusted mean differences of change versus placebo were 0.16 (95% CI 0.01-0.32) and 0.25 (0.09-0.42) in the Resv 40 and Resv 500 arms, respectively. At subgroup analyses, lower diabetes duration, aspirin, alcohol use, younger age, female gender, smoking (Resv 500 arm) and female gender and aspirin use (Resv 40 arm) were associated with higher PTX3 increments. A dose-dependent increment in TAS values in the resveratrol arms (1.4 and 6.4% for Resv 40 and Resv 500, respectively), and a reduction in placebo arm (-8.9%) were observed. Adjusted mean differences of change were 28.5 (95% CI 10.1-46.8) and 44.8 (25.4-64.1) in the Resv 40 and Resv 500 arms, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol supplementation increased PTX3 and TAS levels in a dose-dependent manner in T2DM patients. At present, potential clinical implications of these results remain unclear. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT02244879.

An attempt to correlate “comprehensive geriatric assessment” (CGA), treatment assignment and clinical outcome in elderly cancer patients: Preliminary results of a phase II open study

18599

Background: The aim of our study was to verify the feasibility of using the CGA as an effective instrumental tool for treatment assignment and verify its influence on clinical outcome in elderly cancer patients (pts). Methods: The study design was a prospective Phase II open study. Elderly (age ≥65 years) cancer pts were assigned to 3 different CGA categories (“Fit”, “Intermediate” and “Frail”): accordingly, an appropriate treatment was administered and the clinical outcome was assessed. “Fit” pts were assigned standard chemotherapy, “intermediate” pts tailored (chemo) therapy, “frail” pts monochemotherapy (as “supportive” therapy) or only “supportive” therapy. The primary endpoint of the study was to correlate CGA with treatment and clinical outcome which was based on: objective clinical response (RECIST), ECOG PS, toxicity (NCI CTC v.3), survival, quality of life. Patients who completed at least 3 months of treatment were evaluable. Results: At January 2006, 72 pts were enrolled (mean age 74.4 years, range 65–91, M/F 39/33), 35 of whom (34 stage IV) were evaluable: 5 were “fit”, 16 “intermediate” and 14 “frail”. At baseline no difference was found between the CGA categories in the clinical characteristics (M/F ratio, stage, tumor site) except for ECOG PS which was significantly higher in frail pts (ANOVA test). The objective clinical response to the assigned treatment was: 1 PR, 1 SD and 3 PD for “fit” pts; 1 PR, 9 SD and 6 PD for “intermediate” pts; 4 PR, 4 SD and 6 PD for “frail” pts. Comprehensively, the ORR was 17.1% and the median survival was 4.15 months; 25 out of 35 pts are alive. As for the correlation of CGA categories with treatment and clinical outcome, no difference was found in the clinical outcome variables after 3 months of treatment (ANOVA test). Our results are preliminary as the study is still in progress: the required accrual is at least 32 pts for each CGA category. Conclusions: The CGA assessment is strongly recommended as an essential component of the clinical evaluation of elderly pts. Large prospective clinical trials in this field are awaited. Work Supported by: MIUR, Rome, Italy: NRP No. 2004067078.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Identification of HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis using urine based polymerase chain reaction assay

BACKGROUND

Despite the increased dissemination of tuberculosis among HIV infected patients, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Traditional microbiological methods lack satisfactory sensitivity. We have developed a highly sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capable of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in urine specimens and have used this test to examine urine specimens from HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

Urine specimens from 13 HIV infected patients with microbiologically proven active pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 AIDS patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (documented by blood culture), 53 AIDS patients with no evidence of mycobacterial disease, and 80 healthy subjects (25 with positive skin test to purified protein derivative) were tested for M tuberculosis using PCR, acid fast staining (AFS), and culture.

RESULTS

Of the urine specimens from patients with active tuberculosis, all tested positive by PCR, two by culture, and none by AFS. No reactivity was observed in urine specimens from patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Of the 53 AIDS patients without mycobacterial infection, one had a positive urine PCR. Normal subjects were all negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Urine based nested PCR for M tuberculosis may be a useful test for identifying HIV patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR analysis of urine and other clinical samples from AIDS and non-HIV-infected patients

A number of different clinical specimens, such as sputum, cerebrospinal fluid and blood, have been reported to be good substrates for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR assay. We wanted to search for the presence of mycobacteria in other body fluids, such as urine. Urine samples and other samples obtained from AIDS patients and non HIV-infected patients were analysed by PCR. The results were compared with those obtained using conventional methods (Bactec 460 TB and AFB (acid fast bacilli strain)). We analysed 412 urine samples and 210 different other samples (sputum and cerebrospinal fluid) obtained from AIDS patients by PCR; almost identical levels of PCR-positive (14-17%) results were observed in all samples analysed. The results were then compared with those obtained with the Bactec 460 TB and AFB. PCR, Bactec 460 TB and acid fast stain were also used to analyse 190 urine samples and 230 other samples from non-HIV infected patients in the consumption ward of Sassari Hospital. The number of urine samples positive by PCR (6.3%) and Bactec 460 TB (2.1%) was half that obtained from samples taken from the AIDS patients. As expected, an increase in the number of positive sputum samples was observed with all methods. The results indicate that PCR analysis of urine samples represents a valid alternative for fast and sensitive detection of M. tuberculosis. This method can be routinely used in the clinical laboratory, especially in HIV-infected patients.

[Serum 2'deoxyadenosine/adenosine deaminase ratio in clinical diagnosis]

In humans Adenosine Deaminase activity (ADA) differs in serum and tissues in pH optimum, Km, and relative substrate specificity. Thus, on the basis of a major or a minor activity on 2'Deoxyadenosine, a "serum type"enzyme can be distinguished from a "tissue type" enzyme. The examination of ADA or relative substrate specificity (ratio 2'Deoxyadenosine/adenosine deaminase) in the serum of 174 patients with variant pathology, revealed the occurrence of a "tissue type" enzyme in sera of acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia patients.

[2'Deoxyadenosine/adenosine deaminase ratio in pleural and peritoneal effusions. Diagnostic significance]

It has been observed that adenosine deaminase activity in human beings differ between serum and tissues reference to optimal pH, Km and relative substrate specificity. Based upon the ratio between the activity of deaminase on 2'deoxyadenosine and adenosine, we may distinguish between a "serum type" enzyme and a "tissue type" enzyme. In sample of pleural and peritoneal fluid extracted from 92 patients with variable pathology, we have found the existence of a "tissue type" enzyme in three patients having empyemic pleural effusions and ten with malignant systemic pathology.